Grand Master of Masons in The State of New York
My dear Brothers and friends:
There are no words to express the emotions that I felt at the time of my installation as your
Grand Master. The experience of being installed as the 99th Grand Master of this great
Grand Lodge on the world renowned St. John's Bible is something that I will remember for
the rest of my days.
I want to thank St. John's Lodge Number One for sharing their national treasure with us. It
was truly an honor to take my vow of office on the same Bible used to administer the oath
of office to Worshipful Brother George Washington when he was inaugurated the first
President of the United States over 200 years ago.
I would like to thank the Brothers of St. John's Lodge Number 1 for all they do to promote
our great fraternity.
This day was made even more special for me by the presence of my wife, Barbara, my
daughter Rhonda Brown, her husband Chris, their children, Miranda and Eric, my daughter
Heather Marshall, her husband Aaron, and their daughter Lauren who were present to
share with me in this experience. There is no greater pleasure in the world better than
being with family. I love you all.
I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to R.·. W.·.Richard P. Thomas, and our
own Grand Masters of New York, together with our Grand Chaplains for the impressive
installation of officers. They have made the installation ceremony something that all the
Grand Lodge Officers will long remember.
Most of all, I want to thank you my brothers, for the confidence you displayed in me by
electing me to this exalted office. When I began my career as a Grand Line Officer as
Junior Grand Deacon in 1993 under M.·. W.·.Gary A. Henningsen, I never even considered
the possibility that one day I might become your Grand Master. Being chosen for this office
is without a doubt the highest honor and greatest responsibility it has ever been my
privilege to receive. I pledge to you that over the next two years I will strive with my utmost
ability to prove myself worthy of your trust.
For the past two years, our fraternity has been very ably led by M.·. W.·.Carl J. Fitje. He
has been ready and willing to try innovative new ideas to improve our fraternity in the
Empire State. His leadership has been an inspiration to all of us who had the honor of
serving as his officers, and has insured him of a memorable place among the Grand
Masters of New York. And so, as my first act as your Grand Master, I presented him, on
your behalf, the Charles Henry Johnson Medal, our highest award for his outstanding
service to our Grand Lodge.
You, my brothers, through the election process, have chosen those brothers who are to
guide the destiny of the craft over the next two years. (Please see the listing of the newly
elected and appointed Grand Line elsewhere on this webpage.) I offer my sincere
congratulation to all our new Grand Line Officers, elected and appointed. I am anxious to
begin working with our new Grand Lodge team. These brothers have been elected to
serve you. They are available to assist lodges and districts and provide any services your
lodge or district may require. Do not hesitate to call upon any of them. They have been
elected to serve you, and each of them is prepared to assist you in any way he can.
I congratulate our new team of District Deputies and Staff Officers upon your official
appointment to office. Each of you has shown a true commitment to our beloved fraternity. I
am confident that as a team, we will continue to move our craft forward with a sense of
pride and enthusiasm.
I look forward to the next two years with a great deal of excitement. During that period, we
are going to focus our attentions on Masonic Education. New programs are being
developed to provide an advanced education in our fraternity by a committee of qualified
brethren. Look for increased use of our Grand Lodge website and new links for further
Masonic education. Our Custodians of the Work are developing a Ritual Certification
program to aid in improving the quality of the ritual in our lodges. These exciting new
programs will be unveiled shortly.
Our primary Community Service endeavor during my term of office will be an expanded
Child-Id (CHIP) program. Our enhanced program has been called the most comprehensive
program of its type in existence. We will begin with a state-wide CHIP program on May
22nd. Hand in hand with all of our Masonic endeavors will be a continued emphasis on
Public Relations, from the Lodge level up.
To our retiring Grand Lodge Officers, I congratulate you on a job well done. We had a
wonderful two years together, and I will miss you.
I am excited about the upcoming two years, and can’t wait to get started. I am sure that
each of you shares in my enthusiasm about the future of our craft!
God Bless Each and Every One.
Neil I. Bidnick
Grand Master
